Vieux-Montréal

Another Friday night in the big city, another restaurant...this time we spent an enjoyable evening at the Cabaret du Roy in Old Montreal. This place is supposed to be like New France more than 300 years later but with a bit of piracy and whatever thrown in, specializing in native foods like wild meat and regional cuisines. They invite you to laugh, sing and feast along with their musicians and historical characters to get into the New France spirit. We were shown to our rough hewn wooden table and presented with a cold glass of apple cider and a loaf of round bread to get the tummy rumbling. I ordered the Huron's Sagamité , a native people's fish soup garnished with small game, corn and other vegetables while Marie had La Salade Wendake, a warm salad made from red beans, corn, vegetables and seeds. There was a choice of six main courses from braised ox cheeks to deer casserole but I went with the bison spareribs that had been marinated in a rum and molasses sauces. My God was it good! Marie chose the preserved duck legs, served with a tangy sauce made of maple syrup and red wine. We finished with a maple pudding "chômeur" and a cup of herbal tea (21st century style), full to bursting and ears ringing from the boisterous patrons. Corny but a tourist's delight no doubt. gws

Amy!!

Marie and I, along with Christina, had the pleasure to be with Phil and Fernanda, now in her 23rd week, as they broadcast Amy's 3D ultrasound from the UCBaby Clinic here in Montreal this past Saturday.

Because this session was broadcast over the Internet family members in Mexico, Canada and the US were able to see Amy´s live performance! She put on a great show for us and now we can´t wait to see her for real in the new year! gws

More Colours of Fall

October at the cabin!

No clouds are in the morning sky, the vapours hug the stream, who says that life and love can die in all this northern gleam? At every turn the maples burn, the quail is whistling free, the partridge whirs, and the frosted burs are dropping for you and me...in the clear October morning - Edmund C. Stedman, Autumn Song 

        gws

October = Colour! (Les Couleurs De L`Automne)

While Phil and Fer were getting a much needed break in Las Vegas with Fer's family (who had flown in from Mexico City), and while Lara was driving east to Windsor, Ontario to see her very ill grandmother, Marie and I were of to the cabin in our new Ram to spend the day enjoying the fall foliage of northeastern Quebec and western Maine. Our property is mostly maple, some birch and a scattering of spruce, so we are totally immersed in the beautiful reds, yellows, oranges and browns of the colours around us! I was thinking of my recent visit to the heat and bustle of Florida and what a difference a week makes, not only in the obvious (weather, topography, etc) but also in the peace, serenity and solitude that comes with living in this part of the north. As we crossed into Maine on Saturday (to pick up our camper we had left in Augusta a month ago for repairs) and drove the winding SR 27 south in a light misty rain, it was like being on a different planet altogether. I often think how lucky we are to be able to experience this, and because I have seen both worlds, able to fully appreciate it. gws

our Dodge Ram 4x4 beside the Chain Lakes, Maine, Oct 2011

Phil, Fernanda and family, Las Vegas, October 2011

Just before the death of flowers,
And before they are buried in snow,
There comes this special season
When nature is all aglow

fall foliage, SR 27, Chain Lakes, Maine, Oct 2011